Balancing Evangelism With Quiet Contemplation
Biblical Foundations for Balancing Evangelism and Contemplation
The biblical basis for balancing evangelism with quiet contemplation is rooted in various scriptural passages that emphasize the importance of both activities. Ecclesiastes 4:6 advises that "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit" [1]. This verse highlights the value of quietness and contemplation in a life of faith.
The life of Isaac provides an example of balancing activity with contemplation. According to Matthew Henry, Isaac "went out to meditate, or pray, in the field, at the even-tide" (Genesis 24:62-63), demonstrating that "holy souls love retirement" and that meditation and prayer are essential for conversing with God and one's own heart [3]. This biblical precedent underscores the importance of incorporating quiet contemplation into one's life.
Historical and Theological Perspectives
Throughout Christian history, theologians and spiritual leaders have grappled with the balance between evangelism and contemplation. John Calvin emphasized the need for moderation in spiritual practices, arguing that Scripture provides the right rule for understanding and that it is the school of the Holy Spirit, where nothing necessary to be known is omitted [2]. Calvin's perspective suggests that both evangelism and contemplation are essential components of a balanced Christian life.
In the patristic era, Augustine modeled a balance between contemplation and active ministry. His writings, such as his homilies on the Gospels, demonstrate a deep commitment to both theological reflection and evangelistic outreach [5, 6]. Augustine's example illustrates that contemplation and evangelism are not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary aspects of a vibrant Christian faith.
Tradition Contrasts
Different Christian traditions have weighted the importance of contemplation and evangelism differently. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin and Charles Hodge, emphasizes the importance of balancing spiritual disciplines with active engagement in the world [2, 4]. In contrast, Quietism, a mystical movement that emerged in the 17th century, was criticized for its overemphasis on quiet contemplation at the expense of active ministry [4].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the importance of balancing personal holiness with evangelistic outreach. Clarke's commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4:11 encourages believers to "study to be quiet" and avoid being "busybodies" while still being actively engaged in their faith [8].
Theological Articulation
Theologically, the balance between evangelism and contemplation can be understood as a reflection of the Christian's dual citizenship in heaven and on earth. As Calvin noted, believers are called to be "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, even as they are actively engaged in it [7]. This tension between the "already" and the "not yet" of Christian existence requires a balance between contemplation and action.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 4:6 (KJV) — Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 76: be treated with moderation, yet 2205 because they keep too far within the proper measure, they have little influence over the human mind, which does not readily allow itself to be curbed. Therefore, in order to keep the legitimate course in this matter, we must return to the word of God, in which we are furnished with the right rule of understanding. For Scripture is the school of the Holy Spirit, in which as nothing useful and necessary to be known has been omitted, so nothing is taught but what it is of importance to know. Every ”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 24:62: Isaac and Rebekah are, at length, happily brought together. Observe, I. Isaac was well employed when he met Rebekah: He went out to meditate, or pray, in the field, at the even-tide, Gen 24:62, Gen 24:63. Some think he expected the return of his servants about this time, and went out on purpose to meet them. But, it should seem, he went out on another errand, to take the advantage of a silent evening and a solitary field for meditation and prayer, those divine exercises by which we converse with God and our own hearts. Note, 1. Holy souls love retirement. It wil”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 28: § 5. Quietism. A. Its general character . Tholuck 47 47 Herzog’s Encyklopädie, art. “Molinos.” says “There is a law of seasons in the spiritual, as well as in the physical world, in virtue of which when the time has come, without apparent connection, similar phenomena reveal themselves in different places. As towards the end of the fifteenth century an ecclesiastical-doctrinal reformatory movement passed over the greater part of Europe, in part without apparent connection; so at the end of the seventeenth a mystical and spiritual tendency”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XLVI.--OF THE QUESTION AS TO HOW THE FOUR EVANGELISTS HARMONIZE WITH EACH OTHER ON THIS SAME SUBJECT OF THE MIRACLE OF THE FIVE LOAVES. (part 4): and intention admit of being expressed in words which should leave no appearance of any discrepancies as regards the matter of fact. 98. In this connection, it is true, we ought not to omit to direct the reader's attention to certain other matters which may turn out to be of a kindred nature with those already considered. One of these is found in the circumstance that Luke has stated that they ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. X.--OF THE EVANGELIST JOHN, AND THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIM AND THE OTHER THREE. (part 11): be united with(15) our weakness and mortality, and, on the basis of what is ours, make a way for us in Himself and to Himself. That a man may be kept from sinning, he should be ruled by Christ the King. If he happens to sin, he may obtain remission from Christ, who is also priest. And thus, nurtured in the exercise of a good conversation and life, and borne out of the atmosphere of earth on the wings of a twofold love, as on a pair of strong pinio”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 57: very present help in trouble; therefore will not we fear, though the earth be 502 removed, and the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea,” ( Ps. 46:1, 2 ). This delightful tranquillity is elsewhere described: “I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the Lord sustained me,” ( Ps. 3:5 ). Not that David was uniformly in this joyful frame; but in so far as the measure of his faith made him sensible of the divine favor, he glories in intrepidly despising every thing that could disturb his peace of mind. Hence the Scripture, whe”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 4:11: That ye study to be quiet - Though in general the Church at Thessalonica was pure and exemplary, yet there seem to have been some idle, tattling people among them, who disturbed the peace of others; persons who, under the pretense of religion, gadded about from house to house; did not work, but were burdensome to others; and were continually meddling with other people's business, making parties, and procuring their bread by religious gossiping. To these the apostle gives those directions which the whole Church of God should enforce wherever such troublesome”